I got a copy of Teach Yourself C++ In 21 Days For Linux from a friend for Christmas, and since I am interested in C++, I'd like to know how reliable the info it contains is.

I know it's a bit beginner oriented and maybe lacks in-depth explanations(according to reviews I've seen), but nobody has commented one way or the other on the reliability of the actual techniques the book teaches, or whether or not code written according to what this book teaches will be standards compliant, etc...

12-25-2004

Prelude

>How safe is this book?
As long as you don't drop it on your foot, it's perfectly safe.

>I'd like to know how reliable the info it contains is.
The last time I flipped through it in the bookstore, I didn't see any constructs that would raise a red flag. Of course, this is assuming that I'm thinking of the right book. :)

12-25-2004

andyhunter

The SAMS Teach Yourself .... in 21 days books are designed to be a crash course into whatever topic they are presenting. As the reviews suggest they are oriented towards getting someone who doesn't know anything about the topic to the point of being able to move around somewhat comfortably.

The SAMS publishing company itself has a decent reputation and I am unaware of anything they have published in the past as being blatantly wrong or providing misdirection.

If you get into programming you will find over the coarse of your studies that there are many different types of resources out there ranging from code examples presented to handle situations to straight theory. You are also going to find various coding styles and the overly opinionated people who back them almost religiously. It will really just boil down into what you are comfortable with and what you like to do. That's one of the great aspects of programming, its an open construct with basically no limitations on how to approach a problem.

So to sum up the above rant, if you have the book good ahead and use it. It will get you started and if anything it will allow you to ask specific meaningful questions.

Happy coding!

12-25-2004

algi

Sams teach yourself in 21 days is a really, really in depth book. Nearly all C++ books are relaible, appart from the old ones.

12-25-2004

Aerie

Sounds good; I just don't want to read a book that's going to trick me into habits to the tune of void main() or anything like that...

If it's just a lack of depth and technical explanation, I can always nag you folks on here to explain what's going on.

12-25-2004

sean

A good book is hard to find as tastes will vary from person to person, but it's good to stick with well known titles. Don't worry too much about bad habits. Try and post code regularly if you have questions and bad habits won't have time to form.

12-25-2004

Prelude

>I just don't want to read a book that's going to trick me into habits to the tune of
If you spend time here then it doesn't matter. Just post as you understand the language and you'll be corrected if need be. This benefits everyone because you'll be helping others if you're right, and if you're wrong then others will be sure to re-adjust your thinking.

12-25-2004

Scribbler

In my experience, ANY book put out by SAMS is a better than good product for learning. Furthermore, the Teach yourself <insert subject here> in 21 Days books are exceptionally useful for those with a competent level of reading comprehension, since it tends to cut out a lot of redundant junk.

When it comes to questions of standards compliance, I find usually it's a result of incompetent instructors and rarely textbook related.

12-26-2004

Aerie

Alright, that settles that.

So, does anyone care to comment on the potential(lack of) wisdom present in someone who is still learning C syntax and knows no other programming languages attempting to learn C and C++ at the same time?

12-26-2004

Prelude

I believe in doing one thing at a time so you don't get confused, but if you can maintain the distinction between C and C++ while learning both, more power to you.

12-26-2004

Hunter2

>>I just don't want to read a book that's going to trick me into habits to the tune of void main() or anything like that
I think I remember some people posting sample code from that book, that used void main(). But I started out with that book, and found it quite useful until I got bored of it and started just browsing around here for tidbits of wisdom. In fact, it would probably still be useful if I decided today to pick it up and finish reading it :)